Strengthening Families in West Virginia Conference

Friday, September 17, 2010
8am - 4pm
Keynote Speaker: Judge Penny Brown Reynolds

Theme: Sustaining our families through Education, Employment, and Economic Empowerment
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Micro-Loan Program

KISRA is the only organization to become a certified statewide lender under the U.S. Small Business Administration's micro loan program.

The program provides financial assistance to women, low-income individuals, minority entrepreneurs and other small businesses that need loans ranging from $5,000 to $35,000. The program is open to entrepreneurs who generally do not qualify for conventional loans or other, larger Small Business Administration-guaranteed loans. For more information contact Patricia Scott or call (304) 768-8924 x203

WVIDA Launch

The Kanawha Institute for Social Research & Action, Inc (KISRA), WV Coalition Against Domestic Violence, YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program, SAFE, Family Refuge Center and BB&T Bank are joining forces for the WV Individual Development Account (WVIDA) Initiative. IDAs, or Individual Development Accounts, are special matched savings accounts designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a "productive asset."

WVIDA participants, who will be victims of domestic violence and low income citizens, will use their savings and match money toward any of three productive assets: a home, a small business or a post-secondary education. Participants will receive $3 in match money for every $1 saved. Funding for this initiative has been secured from the Office of Community Services/Assets for Independence, Charleston Urban Renewal Authority, Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation and WV Alliance for Sustainable Families.

The initiative will be launched on Thursday, October 1st, 2009 at 10:00 am at BB&T Bank, 6th floor dining room, 300 Summers Street, Charleston. Contact Carol Carroll at 304.340.3573 to RSVP for the launch. Feel free to contact Michelle Foster at 304.768.8924 x204 for more information about this initiative.

KISRA Cookbooks available

Please contact Ms. Traci Mosley if you would like to purchase a "Cookin' with KISRA" Cookbook (304) 768-8924 x200.

Pre-K Round-up!

Pre-K Round Up - Harambee Child Development Center is now enrolling children for the 2009-2010 Free Pre-K class. The new school year will begin on Monday, August 31. Children enrolling must be 4 years old by August 30.

Enroll your 4 year old for free Pre-K at the Harambee Child Development Center. HCDC will be a Kanawha County Schools Pre-K site in September. A Kanawha County Schools representative will be at the Center on May 5 to answer your questions. Drop by 131 Perkins Ave., Dunbar or call 304.768.4232.